by Cassiopeia Guthrie, Nov. 14, 2025 Attitude, drive and touseled 80s hair reach new heights in Cyndi Lauper, Theresa Rebeck, and Christopher Ashley's new screen-to-stage adaptation of Working Girl, currently enjoying its debut at the La Jolla Playhouse. Based on the 1988 star-studded film of the same name, the musical's callbacks to the source material begin immediately with the opening scene aboard the Staten Island Ferry as Tess (Joanna “JoJo” Levesque), her best friend Cy

by Cassiopeia Guthrie, November 24, 2024 La Jolla Playhouse is jumping into the holiday hullaballoo with their newest production, the aptly named Your Local Theater Presents: A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens, Again, a world premiere on the Potiker stage. The production, written by UCSD alum Anna Ouyand Moench, captures a different angle on the traditional yuletide production... quite literally, it turns out... sneaking into the back recesses of the theatre and following

by Cassiopeia Guthrie, Sept. 15, 2024 Nostalgia and energy are the name of the game in CCAE Theatricals' newest production, Jersey Boys, which enjoyed its Escondido opening this weekend. The Tony Award-winning production, with book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, music by Bob Gaudio, and lyrics by Bob Crewe, follows the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons from their most shining highlights to the lowest lows. This retelling is directed by T.J. Dawson and stars th

by Cassiopeia Guthrie, April 14, 2024 Rousing romance, deception, and drama. Cygnet’s newest production, Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 has arrived, barreling down on OId Town with all three. Read the review at San Diego Story.

by Cassiopeia Guthrie, April 7, 2024 "Come for the hummus and stay for the floor show," proclaims Genie, played by vivacious Marcus M. Martin. It's emblematic of what to expect - and what to consider - for audience members of Disney Aladdin, currently playing at Broadway San Diego's Civic Theatre through April 7. The musical, with music by Alen Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman, Tim Rice, and Chad Beguelin, and Book by Chad Beguillin, is a mostly-faithful retelling of Disney's

by Cassiopeia Guthrie, March 29, 2024 King James, the newest Globe production, is enjoying a one week extension in its occupancy of the Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre in the round, where it offers a glimpse into the full range of very real feelings navigated by a duo of Cavaliers fans. Read the review at San Diego Story.

By Cassiopeia Guthrie, March 9, 2024 The MJ The Musical tour is moonwalking through town at Broadway San Diego’s Civic Theatre this week. And, though the legacy of the artist himself is somewhat controversial, the production, set in 1992, captures instead the charisma and resilience of the beleaguered pop artist. Written by Lynn Nottage and directed/choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon, the musical takes place a couple of days prior to the launch of Michael Jackson’s Dangero

I was thrilled to have a chance to interview some fellow audience members from this weekend's matinee of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. This play, based on the first person narrative by Mark Haddon, weaves a complex and creative tale that is being brought to life on the CCAE Theatricals stage. Let's hear what folks had to say about this limited run production: My thoughts? This production is handled so intentionally, integrating tech in a way that is meani

by Cassiopeia Guthrie, February 26, 2024 Can you ever outrun grief? La Jolla Playhouse’s newest world premiere musical, Redwood, follows Jesse, a self-proclaimed perfectionist who fills her days and nights with work in the wake of the loss of her son, Spencer. It quickly becomes clear that she and her wife, Mel, have very different means of coping: where Mel needs to process the grief, Jesse veers away from it—and, eventually, into the driver’s seat of a car, fleeing across t

by Cassiopeia Guthrie, February 17, 2024 Three cheers... the Chicago tour is here, Fosse'ing its way through a one week celebration of dance on the Civic Theatre stage as it stops in San Diego from Feb. 13-18. The classic musical, with lyrics by Fred Ebb, music by John Kander, and book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, sees program notes list it as a re-creation of the original production, with recreated choreography by Gregory Butler and direction by David Hyslop. It tells the stor